Havant & Waterlooville co-boss Mick Jenkins lavished praise on his young defence after a battling 0-0 draw at wet and blustery Newport County in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

With former Chelsea man Gareth Hall pulling out prior to kick-off because of knee trouble and fellow ex-pros Liam Daish and Shaun Gale already injured, the Hawks were indebted to a youthful rearguard containing Alec Masson, Luke Middleton, recent signing Christian Hanson from Middlesbrough and their highly-rated goalkeeper Aaron Kerr.

Skipper Timmy Hambley was also on the wounded list and Jenkins admitted: "We were without a lot of influential players, but we worked very hard for the point.

"It's fair to say Newport had more of the game than we did but, defensively, we were spot on.

"Any side would miss players of the calibre of Hall, Gale and Daishy, but I was really pleased with the attitude and resolve of the players in what were difficult playing conditions."

Kerr made a couple of vital first-half stops from County's Steve Cowe and, in between, the Hawks threatened from a Chris Ferrett free-kick which was deflected into the hands of Newport keeper Pat Mountain.

Ferrett again tested Mountain in the second half with a long-range effort that was tipped round the post and there were half-chances for Bobby Howe, James Taylor, Paul Wood and Dean Blake.

With the seconds ticking down, Newport might have grabbed victory at the death but no one was able to get on the end of substitute Scott Walker's testing, low cross.

The result keeps Hawks just above the relegation places with 15 points from 15 games.

Fleet's high-profile management duo of Adie Aymes and Mark Dennis arrived back into the country from Spain yesterday to discover Town had slumped to their fifth straight Dr Martens Eastern Division defeat.

The north Hampshire club, who lie one off the foot of the table, succumbed 2-1 to Sittingbourne at Calthorpe Park.

Adapting better to the slippery conditions, the Brickies went ahead through Roy Guiver after 12 minutes and doubled their lead with a sweet chip from Drury on the half-hour.

Fleet, who welcomed back Steve Black from injury and Rob Marshall from honeymoon, were a different proposition after the break and deservedly pulled one back in the 65th minute when Black's determination set up Mark Longley to make it 2-1.

Significantly, it was shot-shy Fleet's first home league goal since way back in August.

Fleet publicity officer Steve Cantle admitted: "We're looking much better defensively now, but half our players lack the experience and physical presence to cope in this league."